May is Mental Health Awareness Month and has been observed in the United States since 1949. It is a time to increase awareness of, educate the general public about and reduce the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. With 20% of Americans reporting they suffer from at least one mental illness each year, it is also important to learn how to seek treatment and help, for either yourself or those around you.
Campus mental health resources:
- Counseling & Psychological Services (CaPS)
- Mental & Emotional Health Resources
- Community Health & Well-Being
Local and National Resources and Guides:
A physical book display is now available at the Libraries with the selection rotating weekly. Some of the eBooks listed below also have a physical listing. Please check the availability.
Special thanks to our Materials Processing Coordinator, Leah Zande, for compiling this list. Learn more on the DEI events page.
The Performance Handbook: for Musicians, Singers, and Performers
Webster, Claude (2021)
This book is meant not only for artists, but also to businesspeople, teachers, public speakers - in short, to everyone who must give a performance, no matter what kind. Having been forced to learn, at the beginning of my career, how to manage terrible stress on my own, I would have really benefited from a guide like this one!
Claude speaks to all those who feel stress and anxiety when faced with giving a performance. With the help of examples and suitable exercises, he guides such a person in his/her battle with their fears and brings them to 'know their inner calm.' Claude offers a means to enter into oneself and take advantage - physically, mentally, and emotionally - of all the conscious and unconscious resources of one's brain in order to replace nervousness and anxiety with pleasure. - Publisher's Description
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Performing Math: A History of Communication and Anxiety in the American Mathematics Classroom
Fiss, Andrew (2020)
Performing Math tells the history of expectations for math communication—and the conversations about math hatred and math anxiety that occurred in response. Focusing on nineteenth-century American colleges, this book analyzes foundational tools and techniques of math communication: the textbooks that supported reading aloud, the burnings that mimicked pedagogical speech, the blackboards that accompanied oral presentations, the plays that proclaimed performers’ identities as math students, and the written tests that redefined “student performance.”
Math communication and math anxiety went hand in hand as new rules for oral communication at the blackboard inspired student revolt and as frameworks for testing student performance inspired performance anxiety. With unusual primary sources from over a dozen educational archives, Performing Math argues for a new, performance-oriented history of American math education, one that can explain contemporary math attitudes and provide a way forward to reframing the problem of math anxiety. - Publisher's Description
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You've Got This: A Student's Guide to Well-Being at University and Beyond
Alexander, Rachael (2022)
Student life can be overwhelming, with so many issues to deal with including living away from home, workload, deadlines and exams, family pressures and challenging relationships. It is not surprising that you might struggle to cope sometimes. But there are simple and effective ways that you can take ownership of your mental health, meaning you stay stress free, enjoy your university experience and achieve academic success.
This book guides you through your student journey from preparing to go to college or university, managing the academic pressures, finding a job, and everything in-between. Relevant scenarios are presented, linked to a series of topics that explore the challenges you might experience, along with self-enquiry reflections which help you to apply the theory to your own experience and key take-aways. The approaches and strategies outlined will help you improve your academic performance, enhance your social skills, learn to manage your emotions, reduce your anxieties, and help you to think in more empowering ways.
Combining practical psychological and spiritual guidance, "You’ve Got This" is written in a down to earth, jargon-free way, helping you, the reader take responsibility over the most important thing of all – the way you think. - Publisher's Description
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Mental Health, Substance Use, and Wellbeing in Higher Education: Supporting the Whole Student
National Academies of Sciences, Engineer (2021)
Student wellbeing is foundational to academic success. One recent survey of postsecondary educators found that nearly 80 percent believed emotional wellbeing is a "very" or "extremely" important factor in student success. Studies have found the dropout rates for students with a diagnosed mental health problem range from 43 percent to as high as 86 percent. While dealing with stress is a normal part of life, for some students, stress can adversely affect their physical, emotional, and psychological health, particularly given that adolescence and early adulthood are when most mental illnesses are first manifested. In addition to students who may develop mental health challenges during their time in postsecondary education, many students arrive on campus with a mental health problem or having experienced significant trauma in their lives, which can also negatively affect physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing.
The nation's institutions of higher education are seeing increasing levels of mental illness, substance use and other forms of emotional distress among their students. Some of the problematic trends have been ongoing for decades. Some have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic consequences. Some are the result of long-festering systemic racism in almost every sphere of American life that are becoming more widely acknowledged throughout society and must, at last, be addressed.
"Mental Health, Substance Use, and Wellbeing in Higher Education" lays out a variety of possible strategies and approaches to meet increasing demand for mental health and substance use services, based on the available evidence on the nature of the issues and what works in various situations. The recommendations of this report will support the delivery of mental health and wellness services by the nation's institutions of higher education. - Publisher's Description
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Complex PTSD Coping Skills Workbook
Greenberg, Tamara McClintock (2022)
If you’ve experienced long-term or repeated trauma—such as childhood abuse or neglect, domestic violence, betrayal, or prolonged emotional abuse—you may struggle with intense feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, shame, and distrust toward others. You should know that you aren’t alone, your pain is real, and there are ways to improve your mental health and begin to heal. This compassionate and evidence-based workbook can help you get started.
This workbook offers an integrative approach for coping with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness, mentalization, and relational therapy. You’ll learn the most effective strategies to manage symptoms, overcome painful memories, and build self-confidence. Most importantly, you’ll find validation that your feelings aren’t “crazy” or “outsized,” and discover the skills needed to help you reclaim your life. - Publisher's Description
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The Pain We Carry: Healing from Complex PTSD for People of Color
Gutiérrez, Natalie; Mullan, Jennifer (2022)
If you are a person of color who has experienced repeated trauma—such as discrimination, race-related verbal assault, racial stigmatization, poverty, sexual trauma, or interpersonal violence—you may struggle with intense feelings of anger, mistrust, or shame. You may feel unsafe or uncomfortable in your own body, or struggle with building and keeping close relationships. Sometimes you may feel very alone in your pain. But you are not alone. This groundbreaking work illuminates the phenomena of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) as it is uniquely experienced by people of color, and provides a much-needed path to health and wholeness.
In "The Pain We Carry," you’ll find powerful tools to help you understand and begin healing from repeated trauma. You’ll discover ways to feel safer in your body, build self-compassion and resilience, and reclaim your health and wellness by reconnecting with your sense of self and your ancestral wisdom. You’ll learn how trauma is connected to grief, how it can affect both the mind and the body, and how it can persist from one generation to the next. Most importantly, you’ll find the validation you need to begin mending your heart, and the skills you need to live a life of intention—even in the midst of an oppressive system.
It’s time to find relief from the trauma and burdens you have been carrying and start celebrating and rediscovering who you are. With this guide, you will uncover your own strength in order to work toward healing C-PTSD within the external constraints you face to live a life of resilience, empowerment, reflection, and perseverance. - Publisher's Description
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How to Help Someone with Depression: A Practical Handbook
Cotterill, Emma (2021)
It can be tough watching someone you love struggling with depression, with no idea how best to help. Depression can be mild, or so all-consuming that the person you love is hardly recognisable. It can come in bouts, or span a significant period of time, which can take its toll on those closest to the sufferer.
In this accessible guide, clinical psychologist Dr Emma Cotterill gives you a clear understanding of the nature of depression, likely causes and practical ways you can help someone experiencing depression - however severe. She draws on the experiences of both sufferers and their supporters to help you feel a little less alone in this difficult time. She also shows you the importance of looking after yourself, and how to seek outside help.
Throughout the book you will develop your own 'supporter’s toolkit' of knowledge, understanding, skills, strategies, self-care and resources that will help you support your loved one as best you can, whilst maintaining your own self care and boundaries. - Publisher's Description
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ACT Workbook for Depression and Shame
McKay, Matthew; Greenberg, Michael Jason; Fanning, Patrick (2020)
Do you feel like you’re broken? Are you depressed because you believe that you’re somehow defective, unwanted, or inferior? Do you feel self-conscious and insecure, constantly comparing yourself to others? Are you sensitive to criticism, or terrified of rejection?
Feeling flawed and inadequate often stems from negative childhood experiences. If you grew up in a highly critical environment, you might feel unworthy of being loved, or have a deep sense of shame about your perceived defects. You may tell yourself there is something inherently wrong with you that prevents you from forming satisfying relationships, finding happiness, and succeeding in life. So, how can free yourself from the self-defeating beliefs that keep you trapped in the depths of depression?
Grounded in evidence-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), this workbook will give you the tools to identify and dismiss your core beliefs of personal defectiveness, and build a life based on positive choices and values that bring vitality and a sense of personal fulfillment. You’ll discover ways to develop psychological flexibility, freeing yourself from old habits and unhealthy coping mechanisms, and alleviating symptoms of depression. Finally, you’ll learn to see yourself in all your wonderful complexity, with kindness and compassion. The truth is you are not broken, and painful memories of the past do not have to dictate your future. If you’re ready to heal and treat yourself to the care and compassion you deserve, this book will show you how. - Publisher's Description
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What You Need to Know about Eating Disorders
Bartley, Jessica; Streno, Melissa (2020)
This book provides readers with information to better understand eating disorders, written in accessible language for teens and young adults―those most at risk for these potentially deadly mental disorders.
Eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, are some of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders. They are also the deadliest: in the United States, an individual dies as the result of an eating disorder every hour.
"What You Need to Know about Eating Disorders" is a part of Greenwood's Inside Diseases and Disorders series. This series profiles a variety of physical and psychological conditions, distilling and consolidating vast collections of scientific knowledge into concise, readable volumes. A list of "top 10" essential questions begins each book, providing quick-access answers to readers' most pressing concerns. The text follows a standardized, easy-to-navigate structure, with each chapter exploring a particular facet of the topic. In addition to covering basics such as causes, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options, books in this series delve into issues that are less commonly addressed but still critically important, such as effects on loved ones and caregivers. Case illustrations highlight key themes discussed in the book, accompanied by insightful analyses and recommendations. - Publisher's Description
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Men Writing Eating Disorders: Autobiographical Writing and Illness Experience in English and German Narratives
Bartel, Heike (2020)
Eating disorders are situated at the complex interface of biology, medicine, culture, society, and politics, and are seen differently from each perspective. This book brings together discussions of eating, food, gender, sexuality and mental health through analysis of published autobiographical narratives authored by men with experience of living with one of the main eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder) as well as associated mental health problems such as body dysmorphic disorder and depression. Written by a literary scholar, the book speaks with authority on the value of literary narratives for much-needed qualitative research and training on the lived experience of eating disorders in men.
With its transnational and comparative focus on texts from the US, UK, Germany, and Austria, "Men Writing Eating Disorders" will appeal to readers working across the arts and humanities and science disciplines. Its interdisciplinary approach offers new insights for readers interested in autobiography, illness narratives, Gender Studies and Critical Masculinity Studies; for scholars keen to explore the nexus of the arts, humanities and sciences within the emerging disciplines of Health Humanities and Medical Humanities; and for healthcare professionals and clinical researchers who recognize the importance of personal narratives in training and practice. - Publisher's Description
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Pet Loss, Grief, and Therapeutic Interventions: Practitioners Navigating the Human-Animal Bond
Kogan, Lori; Erdman, Phyllis (2020)
This book recognizes and legitimizes the significance of pet and animal loss by exploring the various expressions of trauma and grief experienced by those who work with, live with, or own an animal or pet.
The chapters of "Pet Loss, Grief, and Therapeutic Interventions" weave together cutting-edge research with best practices and practical clinical advice for working with grieving clients. Beginning with an overview of the human–animal bond, the book guides readers through the many facets of pet loss, including topics such as animal hospice and euthanasia, offering a comprehensive account of one of the field’s most rapidly emerging areas. Designed to help mental health professionals support clients coping with pet loss, the collection explores personal narratives, current theories, up-to-date research, and future directions.
This unique and comprehensive book will be of interest to students, clinicians, academicians, and researchers in the fields of counseling, psychology, and social work. - Publisher's Description
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Freedom from Health Anxiety: Understand and Overcome Obsessive Worry about Your Health or Someone Else's and Find Peace of Mind
Cassiday, Karen Lynn; Rego, Simón (2020)
Are you constantly worrying about your health, or the health of a loved one? Do you frequently check yourself for lumps, bumps, tingling, or pain? Do you find yourself endlessly looking up symptoms on the internet? Perhaps you find yourself asking others for reassurance or validation that you’re okay, obsessing over health scares in the media, or monitoring your blood pressure on an hourly basis? No matter how your health anxiety manifests, it can be a crippling psychological burden. Endlessly ruminating about illness and death can affect all aspects of life—at home, work, school, as well as the doctor’s office. And if you’re obsessing over the health of a loved one, that can put tremendous pressure on the relationship.
In "Freedom from Health Anxiety," nationally recognized anxiety expert Karen Lynn Cassiday teaches you skills to conquer health anxiety, once and for all. You’ll learn to switch from focusing on worst-case scenarios to appreciating the joy of the present moment—regardless of health status. Using a blend of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), positive psychology, and the author’s “learned inhibition” model, you’ll finally acquire the tools you need to take charge of your fear and break the cycle of stressing over your—or your loved one’s—well-being. You’ll also learn effective methods for tolerating health uncertainty, getting in touch with your body’s cues, and rediscovering the pleasure of the present.
It’s time to find freedom from the obsessive fears that stand between you and true happiness. If you’re ready to trade endless hours of online self-diagnosis (Goodbye, Dr. Google!) for a life filled with a genuine appreciation for each moment, this book will show you the way. - Publisher's Description
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A Good Day to Die: Inside a Suicidal Mind
Vas, Mahita (2021)
In 2019, Singapore had 400 reported suicides, with an increasing number of young people choosing to take their lives.
It is estimated that 800,000 people globally kill themselves every year. Our post pandemic world, with its numerous disruptions, has also forced more people to seek help for mental health issues. While much has been said about the toll on mental health, there is little understanding of why people choose to kill themselves, especially when many, like celebrities Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade had so much to live for. Author Mahita Vas has battled suicidal thoughts for all her adult life. She even lost one of those battles and tried to kill herself, only to be rescued within seconds of breathing her last. It is difficult for those left behind to understand why their loved one would choose to die. A Good Day to Die offers readers an intimate exploration of an anguished mind, weaving personal experience with academic reports. - Publisher's Description
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Coping with Bipolar Disorder
Gordon, Sherri Mabry (2019)
When it comes to bipolar disorder, getting an accurate diagnosis is often the first step toward healing. For anyone struggling with the highs and lows of this mental illness, this book will be extremely helpful and insightful.
Filled with real-life stories as well as practical advice and solutions, this volume will quickly become a go-to resource for information on bipolar disorder. This text is geared to help readers tackle this illness head on, while finding ways to find greater stability and fulfillment in life. Upbeat and positive, this resource encourages those with bipolar disorder to take control of their situations rather than let bipolar disorder control them. - Publisher's Description
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The End of Mental Illness: How Neuroscience Is Transforming Psychiatry and Helping Prevent or Reverse Mood and Anxiety Disorders, ADHD, Addictions, PTSD, Psychosis, Personality Disorders, and More
Amen, Daniel (2020)
Though incidence of these conditions is skyrocketing, for the past four decades standard treatment hasn’t much changed, and success rates in treating them have barely improved, either. Meanwhile, the stigma of the “mental illness” label―damaging and devastating on its own―can often prevent sufferers from getting the help they need.
Brain specialist and bestselling author Dr. Daniel Amen is on the forefront of a new movement within medicine and related disciplines that aims to change all that. In "The End of Mental Illness," Dr. Amen draws on the latest findings of neuroscience to challenge an outdated psychiatric paradigm and help readers take control and improve the health of their own brain, minimizing or reversing conditions that may be preventing them from living a full and emotionally healthy life. - Publisher's Description
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Mental Health Disorders on Television: Representation Versus Reality
McMahon-Coleman, Kimberley; Weaver, Roslyn (2020)
In past decades portrayals of mental illness on television were limited to psychotic criminals or comical sidekicks. As public awareness of mental illness has increased so too have its depictions on the small screen. A gradual transition from stereotypes towards more nuanced representations has seen a wide range of lead characters with mental health disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD, autism spectrum disorder, dissociative identity disorder, anxiety, depression and PTSD. But what are these portrayals saying about mental health and how closely do they align with real-life experiences?
Drawing on interviews with people living with mental illness, this book traces these shifts, placing on-screen depictions in context and demonstrating their real world impacts. - Publisher's Description
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Why I Chase Comedians: And Other Bipolar Tales
Owens, Frankie (2022)
Through often self-deprecating insights Frankie Owens takes the reader inside the mind of someone afflicted by hypermania.
The book shows how he struggled with booming ideas, breathtaking feats of imagination, coming down to Earth and dealing with the wreckage. Written in the style of his acclaimed Little Book of Prison, this new work follows a relapse when the author (founder of the Read and Grow Society and by now a respected, law-abiding exponent of Criminology and Literacy) found himself back in prison following a manic episode. A rare journey into the bipolar mind which 'opens-up' on mental health. A raw, challenging, humorous account. - Publisher's Description
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Thriving in Relationships When You Have OCD: How to Keep Obsessions and Compulsions from Sabotaging Love, Friendship, and Family Connections
Mariaskin, Amy; Quinlan, Kimberley (2022)
If you have obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you may seek constant reassurance from others, lose time to compulsions, struggle with unwanted thoughts and intense emotions, or act out in ways that are ineffective. These symptoms can put a major strain on your relationships—whether it’s with family, friends, partners, or other relationships. And you may feel alone, embarrassed, and ashamed of your symptoms, which can lead to further withdrawal and social isolation. So, how can you reduce the impact of OCD on your relationships?
Drawing on evidence-based practices grounded in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and mindful self-compassion, psychologist Amy Mariaskin offers a comprehensive guide for managing your toughest symptoms—before they hijack your relationships. With this book, you’ll find hands-on skills to move toward what you truly want in your relationships and strengthen feelings of intimacy, trust, and connectedness. And finally, you’ll learn how to cultivate self-compassion, mindfulness, and curiosity—all while challenging the beliefs and behaviors that keep you feeling stuck in isolation.
If you’re tired of OCD sabotaging your relationships, this book will help you take control of your symptoms—and your life. - Publisher's Description
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Everything you need to know about OCD
Drummond, Lynne; Edwards, Laura (2022)
Do you ever find yourself overwhelmed by troublesome and persistent thoughts that make you feel anxious? Do you feel an urge to wash your hands repeatedly, or check appliances over and over, to help ease your anxiety? Do you feel panicked about what might happen if you did not perform these rituals? You may be struggling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
OCD is a common, yet distressing condition, but one that is responsive to modern treatments. "Everything You Need to Know About OCD" gives you a comprehensive insight in to this condition, how to spot symptoms of it in yourself or a loved one, and outlines the treatment options available. The book features self-help chapters that guide you through Graded Exposure therapy, a highly effective psychological treatment for OCD. These chapters will equip you with strategies to banish unwanted thoughts and help you regain control of your life. - Publisher's Description
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Storying Mental Illness and Personal Recovery
Thomsen, Dorthe Kirkegaard; Holm, Tine; Jensen, Rikke; Lind, Majse.; Pedersen, Anne Mai (2023)
This book contains excerpts of life stories from 118 individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and major depressive disorder. This library of personal narratives, heavily reproduced and quoted throughout the text, presents a composite image of the ways in which narrative identity can be affected by mental illness while also being a resource for personal recovery.
Those researching, studying, or practicing in mental health professions will find a wealth of humanizing first-person perspectives on mental illness that foster perspective-taking and aid patient-centered treatment and study. Researchers of narrative psychology will find a unique set of life stories synthesized with existing literature on identity and recovery. Moving toward intervention, the authors include a 'guide for narrative repair' with the aim of healing narrative identity damage and fostering growth of adaptive narrative identity. - Publisher's Description
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Feature image by Paola Chaaya on Unsplash